Lose weight. Quit smoking. Spend more time with friends and family. Cut back on spending. Many Americans ring in the New Year with a resolution to improve some aspect of themselves.
Statistically, more than half of the United States population makes a resolution each year, but the percentage of Americans who actually make good on their resolutions is too bleak to even report.
So what are some tactics for keeping your New Year’s resolution so that by midway through 2017 your gym shoes aren’t collecting cobwebs in the garage or your credit card statement doesn’t continue to blindside you each month?
First off, start small and put away all grandiose statements.
Looking to spend less money in 2017? It’s a nice thought, but not realistic. How about tweaking that resolution to make it more specific and strategic, such as a promise to eat out less in 2017 (the average American buys a snack or meal from a restaurant roughly six times a week, according to the United States Healthful Food Council).
Examine exactly where your spending habits need the most help and make small changes that add up over the course of a year.
Looking to nix a coffee spending habit? Try brewing k-cups throughout the week instead of making your daily coffee shop run, or consider visiting a coffee shop only on weekends with your family as a special treat.
And since weight loss ranks supreme over most New Year’s resolutions, we interviewed Molly Vargo at the North Royalton Family YMCA. She works as Director of Member Impact and shared her thoughts for sticking to this very popular yet seldom achieved New Year’s resolution. Her thoughts can be applied to resolutions outside of the physical fitness realm.
“It’s very important to get out of your comfort zone and keep a positive attitude,” Vargo said. “Try simply cutting back on something like soda or coffee. With physical fitness, things will not happen quickly. Start small with walks around your neighborhood and stick with friends who keep you motivated. Hold yourself accountable.”
When YMCA staff members meet with a client interested in shedding pounds, they ask the individual to state personal goals and areas of interest.
“We’ll ask them what’s holding them back from achieving that weight loss goal and build a plan around their lifestyle,” Vargo said. “I’ve even gone as far as taking a fitness class with a new client and introducing them to classmates.”
Group exercise classes at the YMCA rank very high amongst members.
“More and more people enjoy that group setting like cycling for example,” Vargo said. “Going to class holds them accountable, plus there is a certain starting and stopping point. You know you are done with your workout at a specific time.”
Since eating habits greatly impact body weight, Vargo suggests planning out your meals throughout the week.
“Do not go to the grocery store on an empty stomach,” she said. “Make a list and plan out what your meals are going to look like. Let your kids help you with cooking. When you don’t meal-plan, that truly is when danger strikes and you’ll grab anything you see first. When you go to the grocery store, always be thinking about your end-goal and where you want to be.”
As is the case with meeting most goals, it’s most important to create a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle, Vargo noted.
“People have many excuses for not achieving something and time is always typically a factor,” she said.
Adjusting a goal and making effort to shape it around your lifestyle habits always beats out a hastily thought-out idea.

By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer